Veterinarians

​​​​Dr. David Thompson, DVM & Owner

Dr. Dave moved to South Dakota in 2010 and opened Creekside Veterinary Clinic in November of 2015. Growing up, most of his time was spent at his dad’s clinic and going on calls with him in Warrenton, MO. After attending the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine he practiced south of Kansas City for a few years. He loves the variety of the job, and that no two days are ever the same. Being able to serve the community by taking care of people’s pets and livestock is what brings him the most joy with his profession. When not at the clinic, you can usually find him outside, or working on projects around the house and clinic, and hunting or fishing. Dr. Dave and wife Shirley have 4 children, Connor, Max, Maggie, and Charlie. They also have 3 dogs Remi, Daphne, and Tess and various other farm animals. 

 

 

 

​​​​Dr. Jason Heezen, DVM

Growing up in Plankinton and the son of a Veterinarian, Dr. Jason was born with a passion for animals and veterinary science. In his 20 plus years of practice he has treated animals in the Mitchell, Plankinton, and Sioux Falls areas and the variety of the job is by far his favorite part of being a veterinarian. Dr. Jason and his wife Angie have three grown children, Cody, Emma, and Noah. He enjoys home improvements, flying airplanes, traveling, and working on vintage cars. Former owner of Safe Haven Animal Clinic, Dr. Jason Heezen decided it was time for semi-retirement, and will be providing services here at Creekside on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

 

 

 

 

 

​​​​Dr. Brittney Evans, DVM, MPH

Dr. Brittney is from the small, north-central Iowa town of Swea City. She attended the University of Northern Iowa for her bachelor’s degree in biology. From there she simultaneously completed a Masters of Public Health from the University of Iowa and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. She met her significant other, Dr. Michael Rohde, at veterinary school and they have two dogs, Oscar and Rocco. In her free time, you can find her reading tons of books, making tasty creations in the kitchen, watching scary movies, and spending as much time as possible with friends and family.

Dr. Brittney’s favorite part about being a veterinarian at Creekside is the deep human-animal bond her patients and clients have. She also loves playing a part in food safety when working with large animals. 

 

 

 

Office Manager

Amanda Graves

Amanda grew up on a ranch just outside of Chamberlain and was involved in 4-H and rodeo. The feeling that she is back to her roots and meant to be here helping the team, clients, and patients are her favorite parts of managing the clinic. Amanda and her husband Brian have 2 children, Matteah and Madden, and 2 dogs Odie and Georgia. They are part owners of Granite Springs Lodge in Alexandria, SD, and chasing the kids with their activities keeps her on the go most of her spare time. She enjoys the outdoors, reading, listening to music, traveling, and spending time creating memories with family and friends.

 

   

 

 

Certified Veterinary Technicians

Rachael Nichols 

All her life, Rachael has had a passion for animals. Growing up in Canistota, SD, she participated in 4-H showing horses. She graduated from Globe University in September of 2013 with a degree in Veterinary Technology and is a certified Veterinary Technician. Completing dentals and knowing that she is improving a dog or cats’ life is what she enjoys the most working in this industry. Rachael and her two kids, two dogs, and three cats love spending time together. In her spare time, she is usually reading or spending time raising her succulents & cacti.

 

 

 

 

 

Samara Huber

Samara moved to South Dakota from Forman, North Dakota in 2020. Sam attended Ridgewater Community College and graduated from their Veterinary Technician program. Sam and her husband Matt live just outside of Mitchell. She likes a good Netflix and chill day, going to the gym, and spending time outside with their 2 dogs, Sadie and Doc. They also have 2 cats named Nova and Meeko. Being able to meet all the different breeds and their personalities is her favorite part of her job. Growing up in 4-H, showing llamas, and having various pets is how she knew she wanted a job working with animals.  

 

 

 

 Assistants  

Carolyn Whiting

Carolyn grew up in Canistota, SD. Her family always had small animals growing up which is how she became interested in working in the veterinary field. Caring for sick animals and seeing them get healthy again is the favorite part of her job. Carolyn currently lives in Mitchell with her husband Cody, stepson Hudson, and daughter Oaklee. They have 3 dogs, Remi, Blue, and Zeus and one cat, Tex. This makes play time very fun! Carolyn loves spending time with family and friends, and enjoys watching and playing softball, basketball, and volleyball.

 

 

 

Tami Love

Tami grew up in Parkston, SD. She has three children, Lillian, Penny, and Gaige. Tami enjoys spending time with her family and her significant other, Darren. She has had a love for animals forever, and keeps busy with four pets of her own, Gretchen, Ginger, Margo, and Wilbur. She truly enjoys her co-workers here at Creekside and the fact that no day is ever the same. In Tami’s spare time she takes advantage of getting a good nap in and listing to true crime podcast.

 

 

 

 

  

 

Lodging      

Sierra Kiehn - Lodging Team Lead

Sierra grew up in Chamberlain, SD where she spent a lot of her time on her family farm, working cattle, and farming. Sierra attended Mitchell Technical Institute for Agriculture Production and graduated in 2017. While in school, Sierra became an intern here at Creekside and discovered her passion for working with dogs. She loves providing a service that makes pets and clients so happy. Sierra and her husband Chance have a cat named Benny and a canine boxer named Willy. Sierra also enjoys all outdoor activities, such as being at the river, hiking, riding horses, playing softball, snowboarding, and gardening.

 

 

 

 

Melody Crain

Melody grew up in DeSmet and participated in 4-H rodeo, horse shows, and dog classes. Melody's biggest passion growing up was working with animals of all kinds. Her love for animals since she could walk is where her interest in working with them comes from. Her favorite part of her job is getting to play with dogs all day and her coworkers. She enjoys riding horses, walks with her dog, traveling, fishing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. She resides in Mitchell with her three-legged German Shepard Chief. 

 

 

 

Ashtyn Cobb 

Ashtyn grew up in Huron, SD and moved to Mitchell with her 4-legged companion, Apollo. She attended school at DWU. Ashtyn has always had a love for animals, so when she learned about an open position in the kennel at Creekside, she was excited to join our team and learn what this position was all about. Watching the dogs come out of their shell and become comfortable in daycare or lodging gives her great pride in her work, and of course, she loves getting to play with them all day!  After leaving work for the day, she can’t wait for her next adventure with Apollo. 

 

  

 

Greeters 

Char Sonne -  Lead Greeter

Char is from a large family and grew up in Rock Valley, Iowa. She met her husband Greg there and together they made the decision to move north of Mount Vernon to farm with his family. Char and Greg have three children and seven grandchildren who light up their lives. She also has adopted their 4-legged child, Charlie, since joining the team at Creekside. Char’s love for being with people, both our clients, and co-workers brings her the most joy, and she is grateful for taking a chance on trying something new for a career choice. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, quilting and her flower gardens.

 

 

 

 

Vanessa Lachnit

Vanessa was born and raised in Mitchell where she currently resides with her boyfriend, Cole. Growing up she has always had compassion and love towards all animals and being able to give the same love and care that she would want for her own pets to receive is why she perused a career working with animals. She has two dogs named Snoop and Tiny. In her spare time, she enjoys her bowling league and playing softball in the summer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Magnuson

Sarah was born and raised in Mitchell. She has identical twin boys, Tristin and Taylor. They have 3 cats, Farrah, Stevie, and Nyx. Sarah grew up loving all animals, so working with animals was an easy choice when looking for a career. She loves getting to know our clients, and making not only the patients feel better, but their owners as well. Sarah is always up for a good laugh and enjoys her free time socializing and fishing.

 

 

 

 

 

Stylists

Melissa Pommer - Lead Pet Stylist

Melissa's lifelong love for animals and her very first grooming experience with her family's long-haired cat, Fluffy, when she was only 15 years old is how she choose to peruse her career as a pet stylist. Melissa grew up in Mitchell, and currently lives near Alexandria with her husband, John. They have four children Jordan, Nicole, Kylie, and Ashley. Melissa loves being a horse show mom to her daughter who shows Arabian Horses. They also have multiple farm cats, nine horses, and cattle. Pet styling has been her life for over 26 years. Introducing puppies to the styling process and setting a foundation for them to enjoy their spa days is what brings her the most joy in her day.

 

 

 

 

Chasity Weeks

Chasity has been working with pets professionally since 2012. Chasity began her pet styling career in October of 2017. Chasity received her pet stylist certification through Petco where she learned the leading standards of pet styling safety. Chasity loves getting to know all the different personalities of the individual animals and has had a love for animals from an early age. Two dogs, Melody and Gizmo, and two cats, Calvin and Hobbes spend a lot of time biding for Chasity’s attention. Chasity and her husband, Ryan, stay very busy as foster parents, typically for teenagers, as they will have up to six kids at any given time.